Dual function broadhead assembly

ABSTRACT

A broadhead assembly includes a body extending from a first end to a second end, one or more blades each having a leading end and a trailing end, a collar having a first portion and a second portion, and a tip. The second portion retains a portion of the leading end of each of the one or more blades and the tip couples to the first end of the of the body. The assembly is configured for use in both fixed blade and mechanical or deployable modes of operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to relevant portions of 35 U.S.C. §119 and 37 CFR §1.53, thisapplication is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit and priorityof, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/270,325, filed on Dec. 21, 2015. Theentire contents of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed generally to the field of archery and morespecifically to a broadhead assembly which can be used as either amechanical (expandable) broadhead assembly or a fixed blade broadheadassembly.

BACKGROUND

Bow hunting has become a very popular sport in North America and aroundthe world. A typical broadhead assembly used by sportsmen includes ablade set and a blade holder, which retains and couples the blade set toan arrow shaft. The blades used in the blade set have two (2) or morerazor sharp blade edges which extend outwardly to form a cutting edge topenetrate a target animal's hide, tissue, and bone. Upon impact, theoutwardly extended blades act to provide an optimum trauma site and thusquickly bring down the target animal by causing substantial hemorrhagingand tissue damage when struck. Such a wound would also create a bloodtrail to aid the hunter in tracking the target animal after it has beenstruck.

Generally, two basic types of broadhead assemblies are known in the art:mechanical (also commonly referred to as “expandable”) broadheadassemblies; and fixed blade broadhead assemblies. Mechanical broadheadassemblies retain the blade set close to the blade holder to maintain alow profile while in flight and then allow the blade set to open orexpand outwardly upon impact. A fixed blade broadhead assembly retainsthe blade set in the same position while in flight and upon impact.Accordingly, the profile of the fixed blade broadhead assembly can begreater with a smaller impact wound to the target animal as compared toa mechanical broadhead assembly. However, while sacrificing some flightcharacteristics, fixed-blade broadhead assemblies may initially cut onimpact in a more efficient manner than mechanical broadhead assembliesand may create a better wound channel for blood flow improving thelikelihood of developing a good blood trail to track the target. On theother hand, mechanical broadhead assemblies may cause greater injury tothe target's internal organs and thus bring down the target sooner.

Currently, bow hunters are forced to purchase separate blade sets andblade holders to use with each broadhead assembly which leads to addedcost. This is also inconvenient for bow hunters as they are forced tocarry multiple components with them while on the hunt, as well as spendextra time reconfiguring their arrow according to the target and huntingconditions. Moreover, broadhead assemblies need to meet certain weightthresholds in order to provide proper weight distribution and balancewhen installed on the arrow shaft. Abiding by these weight thresholdsensures optimal flight characteristics and performance of the arrowcoupled to the broadhead assembly. Changing between a mechanicalbroadhead assembly and a fixed blade broadhead assembly on the samearrow shaft can affect weight distribution, thereby resulting in erraticflight and unpredictable performance.

The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of theproblems, disadvantages and shortcomings related to the use of currentmechanical and fixed blade broadhead assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, a broadhead assembly is provided having a body with afirst end and an opposing second end and including one or more axialgrooves. The broadhead assembly further includes one or more blades thateach have a leading end and a trailing end. Each of the one or moreblades has one or more blade edges that couple to the body at thetrailing end. A collar of the assembly includes a first portion and asecond portion, the second portion retains a portion of the leading endof the one or more blades. A tip is coupled to the first end of the ofthe body.

In another embodiment, a broadhead assembly includes a body having anaxis extending between a first end and a second end and including one ormore axial grooves. The broadhead assembly further includes a pluralityof blades that each have a leading end and a trailing end. Each of theplurality of blades has two or more blade edges and can be removablycoupled to a portion of the body. A tip engages a portion of the firstend of the body and a collar having a first portion and a secondportion. The collar further includes an inner surface defining a centralthrough bore extending from the first portion to the second portion. Thecentral bore includes a plurality of arcuately-shaped radial portionsdisposed circumferentially on the interior surface.

In another embodiment, a method of hunting game with a broadheadassembly is provided. The method comprises providing a body having anaxis extending between a first end and a second end and including one ormore mounting points. The trailing end of each of a plurality of bladesis rotatably coupled to the one or more mounting points, wherein each ofthe plurality of blades has two or more blade edges. A collar is coupledto the first end of the body. The collar has an interior surfacedefining a central through bore which extends between a first portionand a second portion of the collar. The second portion of the collarretains a portion of a leading end of each of the plurality of blades. Atip is coupled to the first end of the body such that the tip engagesthe second end of the collar. The second end of the body is coupled toan arrow shaft and launched at a target animal.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the accompanying drawings aswell as the following Detailed Description.

This brief description is intended only to provide a brief overview ofsubject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrativeembodiments, and does not serve as a guide to define or limit the scopeof the invention. This brief description is provided to introduce anillustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can beunderstood, a detailed description of the invention may be had byreference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawingsillustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of theinvention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed uponillustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. Inthe drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughoutthe various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention,reference can be made to the following detailed description, read inconnection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a an isometric view of an embodiment of a broadhead assembly,shown in the retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the broadhead assembly of FIG. 1, shownin the extended position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a blade holder, or bodyof the broadhead assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a blade holder;

FIG. 5 is an perspective view of an embodiment of a blade;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the broadhead assembly,shown in the extended or deployed position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a fracture collarused in the broadhead assembly;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the fracture collar of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a non-fracture collarused in the broadhead assembly; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a cap or tip of thebroadhead assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to a broadhead assembly in accordancewith certain embodiments that is adjustable between fixed and expandablemodes. It will be readily apparent that other variations andmodifications are possible. In addition, certain terms are usedthroughout to provide a frame of reference in regard to the accompanyingdrawings. These terms, which may include “distal”, “proximal”, “inner”,“outer”, “internal”, “external” and the like are not intended to belimiting, unless so specifically indicated.

The herein described broadhead assembly can function as either a fixedblade broadhead assembly or a mechanical (“expandable”) broadheadassembly at the election of the bow hunter. This functionality can beaccomplished by removable blades that are fixed in a retracted orpartially retracted position while in flight, but can be expanded orkept in the fixed position upon impact with the target. The dualfunction of the herein described broadhead assembly can be accomplishedby a selectable mechanism that in a first mode, retains the blades intheir fixed retracted positions upon penetration of the target and in asecond mode, enables the blades to expand when the broadhead assemblyimpacts the target.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the dual function broadhead assembly, (alsoherein referred to synonymously as an arrowhead assembly, or broadheadassembly) 100 generally includes a blade holder or body 110, a blade set130, a collar 150, and a cap or tip 170. Each of the foregoingcomponents will be described in greater detail.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the body 110 is substantially tubular havingan axis X extending between a first or distal end 112 and an opposingsecond or proximal end 114. As shown and according to this embodiment,the body 110 is a single, unitary component that can be made from anysuitable material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, carbonsteel, aluminum, metals, ceramics and alloys.

As shown, the body 110 has a substantially circular cross section andmay be fitted with any number of blades 132 from the blade set 130. Inanother embodiment, the cross section of the body 110 may be polygonal,depending on the number of blades 132 used. For example, the body 110can be defined by a triangular cross section if three (3) blades 132 areused, a square cross section if four (4) blades 132 are used, and soforth. In these alternate embodiments, each side of the body 110 iscoupled to one blade 132 and has one axial slot or axial groove 119 thatextends along a portion of the length of the body 110 and morespecifically a blade coupling portion 116.

According to this embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the firstend 112 of the body 110 includes a tip coupling portion 113 having anarrowed outer diameter D1, FIG. 4, as compared to the remainder of thebody 110. In an embodiment, the tip coupling portion 113 includes aplurality of external threads 117 that are configured to accommodatecorresponding internal threads (not shown) of the tip 170 (FIG. 1). Theuse of threads, however, is optional. For example, the tip 170 canalternatively be snap-fitted to the tip coupling portion 113, or securedusing other suitable means.

The body 110 further includes the blade coupling portion 116 and a neck118. The blade coupling portion 116, which is formed on an intermediatepart of the body 110 retains or couples the blade set 130 (FIG. 1) tothe body 110 with the neck 118 extending between the blade couplingportion 116 and the first end 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the bladecoupling portion 116 has an outer diameter D2 that is larger than D1 andthe outer diameter of the neck 118, depicted as D3. The blade couplingportion 116 further includes one or more sockets or access holes 115that can accept one or more fastening members (not shown). The fasteningmembers can include pins, screws, cams, or any other suitable fasteningmember to removably couple each blade 132 of the blade set 130 to thebody 110. The sockets 115 are dimensioned and sized in order to receivean Allen wrench or other suitable tool to aid in the removal andinstallation of the blade set 130 and the fastening member(s) to enableselective replacement of a blade 132 or entire blade set 130.

As noted, the neck 118 is positioned between the tip coupling portion113 and the blade coupling portion 116. The outer diameter of the neckD3 is less than the outer diameter of the blade coupling portion D2, butgreater than the diameter of the tip coupling portion D1. The body 110further including an annular shoulder 124 at the distal most end of theneck 118. The neck 118 also includes two or more axial channels, slots,or axial grooves 119 that according to this embodiment, further extendinto at least an axial portion of the blade coupling portion 116.

The second end 114 of the body 110 has an arrow coupling portion 120defined by a maximum outer diameter D4 that is smaller than the diameterof the arrow shaft (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and according tothis depicted embodiment, the arrow coupling portion 120 includes aplurality of external threads 121 that are configured to engage acomplimentary set of internal threads (not shown) in an arrow shaft (notshown) to couple the body 110 to the arrow shaft. However, the use ofthreads as a coupling means is optional, wherein the arrow couplingportion 120 may use any other suitable technique to mechanically andfixedly couple the body 110 to the arrow shaft (not shown). According tothis embodiment, the body 110 and more specifically the proximal end ofthe blade coupling portion 116 is defined by an outer diameter as wellas a proximally defined annular shoulder 122 configured and sized tolimit the axial insertion of the body 110 into the arrow shaft (notshown), however in an alternate embodiment, the position of the definedshoulder 122 can be longitudinally adjusted by means known in the artand can also be used to fit the body 110 onto differently sized arrowshafts.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the blade set 130 includes two (2) or moreblades 132 made from a suitable material such as, but not limited tostainless steel, carbon steel, metals, ceramics, alloys, or any othersuitable rigid material that can maintain a sharp edge. The (2) or moreblades are defined by a unitary and elongate blade body 133 having aleading end 134 and an opposing trailing end 136. For clarity, a singleblade 132 is shown in FIG. 5, while a set of three (3) blades is shownin an assembled form in FIG. 6. As shown according to the depictedembodiment in FIG. 6, the body 110 is defined by three (3) slots orgrooves 119 and three (3) blades 132. Each blade 132 is locateddiametrically at 120 degrees around the exterior of the body 110, asdepicted FIG. 6.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, the trailing end 136 of each blade132 defines a mounting point 139 for coupling with the blade couplingportion 116 (FIG. 1) of the body 110 (FIG. 1). More specifically, themounting point 139 includes an opening that is sized to receive afastening member (not shown) for assembly through the socket 115 (FIG.1). The leading end 134 of each blade 132 includes at least one bladeedge 131 a. In addition, each blade 132 further includes an extensionarm 138 projecting transversely relative to the respective ends 134,136. According to this embodiment, the extension arm 138 is fullyexposed in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 2. The extension arm138 includes at least one blade edge 131 b that is spaced from the bladeedge 131 a, but is substantially coplanar therewith. The blade edge 135is oppositely disposed relative to the extension arm 138 and extendsover substantially the entire length between the leading end 134 and thetrailing end 136 of the blade body 133. As shown, each of the bladeedges 131 a, 131 b are formed at about a 45 degree angle relative to alongitudinal axis Y of the blade body 133. This angularity can bevaried. For example, the blade edges 131 a, 131 b may be formed atangles between 30 and 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis Y ofthe blade body 133. As shown in FIG. 1 and in a retracted position, theblade edges 131 a, 131 b face the first end 112 of the body 110. Asshown in FIG. 1, the blade edge 135 (FIG. 6) is positioned in the axialgroove 119 of the body 110 when the broadhead assembly 100 is in theretracted position. The axial groove 119 acts to provide lateralstability to the blade 132 when the broadhead assembly 100, as coupledto an arrow shaft (not shown) is in flight.

According to this embodiment, the cutting surfaces of blade edges 131 a,131 b, 135 have been ground on both sides of the blade 132 for sharpnessand are geometrically designed to expand into deployment when the impactforce is applied to extension arms 138 in the mechanical or bladeexpanding mode as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, three (3) identical blades 132 are illustrated,however any reasonable number of two (2) or more blades 132 may be used,provided that they are uniformly distributed around or on the sides ofthe body 110 to maintain adequate balance. In an embodiment, the blades132 may not necessarily be identical to one another.

Referring to FIG. 1, the collar or sleeve 150 is coupled to the firstend 112 of the body 110. Various version of the collar 150, and morespecifically collar 150 a (FIGS. 7-8) and 150 b (FIG. 9), are hereindescribed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 7-9. Each collar 150a, 150 b commonly is defined by a cylinder section having a firstportion 152 a, 152 b and an opposing second portion 154 a, 154 b. Thefirst portion 152 a, 152 b has a distal facing surface 162 a, 162 b andthe second portion 154 a, 154 b has a proximal facing surface 164 a, 164b. Each collar 150 a, 150 b also has an exterior surface 156 a, 156 band an interior surface 158 a, 158 b. The interior surface 158 a, 158 bdefines an inner bore 160 a, 160 b extending through each end of thecollar that accepts a portion of the tip coupling portion 113 of thebody 110 when in the assembled position (FIG. 1). In the assembledposition (FIG. 1), the forward facing surface 162 a, 162 b contacts aportion of the tip 170 and the rearward facing surface 164 a, 164 bcontacts a portion of the forward facing surface 124 of the body 110.Referring specifically to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first portion152 a of the collar 150 a has a diameter D5 and the second end isdefined by diameters D6 and D7. As shown, D5 and D6 are equal to eachother and D7 is greater than either D5, or D6. In another embodiment, D5and D6 are not equal. Since D7 is larger than D5 and D6, the thicknessT1 of the second portion 152 a of the collar 150 a at D7 is less thanthe thickness T2 of the collar at D5 or D6. In another embodiment, theinner bore 160 a has the same diameter extending from the first portion152 a to the second portion 154 a of the collar 150 a and at least thesecond portion 154 a is made from a fracturable material.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the exterior surface 156 a, 156 b the collar 150a, 150 b is smooth, however in another embodiment, the exterior surface156 a, 156 b may have one or more surface features for the purposes ofgripping, branding, aerodynamics, performance, or any combinationthereof. As shown, the interior surface 158 a, 158 b is smooth, howeverin another embodiment, at least a portion of the interior surface 158 a,158 b can have a plurality of threads or other features to assist incoupling the collar 150 a, 150 b to the body 110, the tip 170, or both.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the collar 150 a is formedfrom a suitable fracturable material such as a thin section of aluminum,a polymer or copolymer such as polyacetal copolymer, or any othersuitable fracturable material. A suitable fracturable material hasproperties that will allow the collar 150 a to remain rigid with normalstorage and handling. However, this collar 150 a is configured to befractured or structurally compromised upon impact with the target,wherein the hinged extension arms 138 of the blades act against theintegrity of the collar 150 a and cause the blades 132 to be released ordeployed to the position shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the collar 150 a hasinner bore 160 a defined by a plurality of arcuately-shaped radialportions 166 disposed circumferentially around the interior surface 158a. In another embodiment, the interior surface 158 a of the collar 150 aincludes features which cause the radial thickness of the collar to varyaround the circumference of the inner bore 160 a.

Conversely and referring to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the collar 150 bcan alternatively be formed from a rigid, non-fracturable or fractureresistant material such as steel, carbon steel, a thick piece ofaluminum, or any other material that will secure the blade set 130 inthe retracted position (FIG. 1) both while the broadhead assembly 100 isin flight and after impact with the target.

The tip 170, as shown in FIG. 10, may have a number of tip blades 172extending from the apex 171 to the base 173 of the tip 170. In anembodiment, the number of tip blades 172 correspond to the number ofblades 132 in the blade set 130 and is removable to allow the user tocustomize the arrowhead assembly 100 for a selected use or weightthreshold. The tip 170 can include an interior threaded surface or anysuitable means to retain the tip 170 on the body 110 and maintain itspreferred alignment and balance including a locking pin (not shown). Thetip 170 can be formed from stainless steel, titanium or any other knownmaterial having sufficient strength characteristics to obtain efficientpenetration into the target while also creating a sufficient front-endload that enables broadhead deployment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the leading ends 134 of the blades 132 extendpartially under the collar or sleeve 150 when in the retracted position.This allows the collar 150 to overlay a portion of the leading ends 134and hold the blades 132 in their closed or retracted positions. Uponcoupling the tip 170 to the broadhead assembly 100, the collar 150 isaxially compressed or preloaded between the base 173 of the tip 170 andthe forward facing surface or shoulder 124 of the body 110.

When the broadhead assembly 100 is to be used as a mechanical(expandable) broadhead assembly, the blades 132 are coupled to the bladecoupling portion 116 of the body 110 with fasteners (not shown).Fasteners (not shown) are inserted through the mounting points 139 ofthe blades 132 into the aligned sockets 115 of the body 110 to couplethe blades 132 and provide a pivot point for the blades 132 at theirtrailing ends 136. An embodiment of the fracturable collar 150 a (FIGS.7-8) is inserted over the tip coupling portion 113 such that at least aportion of the tip coupling portion 113 is housed within the inner bore160 a of the collar 150 a. The collar 150 a is positioned between thebase 173 of the tip 170 and the shoulder 124 to retain a portion of theleading end 134 of the blades 132 under the collar 150 a in theretracted position (150 of FIG. 1) while the broadhead assembly 100 isin flight. In this embodiment, the retained portion of the leading end134 of the blade 132 is positioned within one of the plurality ofarcuately-shaped radial portions 166 of the interior surface 158 a ofthe collar 150 a. In the retracted position (FIG. 1), the blade edges131 a, 131 b are exposed and forward facing while the blade edges 135are positioned at least partially within the axial grooves 119. Theaxial grooves 119 are cut at a slight angle relative to the longitudinalaxis Y of the blade body 133 to stabilize the blades 132 while inflight. Upon impact with the target, the axial force causes the leadingends 134 of the blades 132 to intentionally break through or fracture atleast a portion of the collar 150 a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second end 152 a of the collar 150 a willfracture at approximately T1 upon impact with the target and allow theblades 132 to expand or open (FIG. 2). Once the leading ends 134 of theblades 132 are no longer restrained by the collar 150 a, the blades 132are caused to pivot about the fastener (not shown) to open radiallyoutward and expose and position blade edges 135 so they face towards thetip 170 (FIG. 2) and are ready to penetrate the target upon impact. As aresult, blade edges 131 a and 131 b are rotated clockwise such that theblade edges 131 a, 131 b face away from the body and are oriented atabout a 45 degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis Y of the bladebody 133. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the collar 150 a can be reused morethan once with the current blade set 130 by rotating the collar 150 a sothat the fractured portions are positioned between the blades 132.

When the broadhead assembly 100 is to be used as a fixed blade broadheadassembly, the blades 132 are coupled to the blade coupling portion 116of the body 110 with fasteners (not shown). The fasteners (not shown)are inserted through the mounting points 139 of the blades 132 into thesockets 115 of the body to couple the blades 132 and provide a pivotpoint for the blades 132 at their trailing ends 136. An embodiment ofthe non-fracturable collar 150 b (FIG. 9) is inserted over the tipcoupling portion 113 such that at least a portion of the tip couplingportion 113 is housed within the inner bore 160 b of the collar 150 b.The collar 150 b is positioned between the base 173 of the tip 170(FIGS. 1 and 10) and the shoulder 124 of the body 110 to retain aportion of the leading end 134 of the blades 132 under the collar 150 bin the retracted position (FIG. 1) while the broadhead assembly 100 isin flight. In the retracted position (FIG. 1), the blade edges 131 a,131 b are exposed and forward facing while the blade edges 135 arepositioned at least partially within the axial grooves 119. The grooves119 are cut at a slight angle relative to the longitudinal axis of thebody 110 to stabilize the blades 132 while in flight. Upon impact withthe target, the axial force is transferred by the collar 150 b to thebody 110 and into the arrow shaft (not shown). According to thisembodiment, the rigidity of the collar 150 b keeps the blades 132 in theretracted position such that the blade edges 131 a, 131 b remain forwardfacing when the broadhead assembly 100 impacts the target. In thisembodiment of the broadhead assembly 100, the grooves 119 retain themain blade edges 135 during flight and during impact of the broadheadassembly 100.

PARTS LIST FOR FIGS. 1-10

-   100—broadhead assembly-   110—body or blade holder-   X—longitudinal axis, body-   112—first or distal end, body-   113—tip coupling portion-   114—second or proximal end, body-   115—socket-   116—blade coupling portion-   117—threads, tip coupling portion-   118—neck-   119—groove(s), axial-   120—arrow coupling portion-   121—threads, arrow coupling portion-   122—annular shoulder-   124—shoulder-   130—blade set-   131 a, 131 b—blade edges-   132—blade(s)-   133—blade body-   Y—longitudinal axis, blade body-   134—leading edge-   135—blade edge-   136—trailing edge-   138—extension arm-   139—mounting point(s)-   150—collar-   150 a—fracturable collar-   150 b—non-fracturable collar-   152 a, 152 b—first portion, collar-   154 a, 154 b—second portion, collar-   156 a, 156 b—exterior surface, collar-   158 a, 158 b—interior surface, collar-   160 a, 160 b—inner bore, collar-   162 a, 162 b—forward facing surface-   164 a, 164 b—rearward facing surface-   166—arcuately-shaped radial portion-   170—tip-   171—apex-   172—tip blades-   173—base

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove and described in any and all exhibits and other materialssubmitted herewith, where one or more of its components, functionalitiesor structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one ormore of the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

1. A broadhead assembly comprising: a body having a first end and anopposing second end, the body including one or more axial grooves; oneor more blades each having a leading end and a trailing end, the one ormore blades each having one or more blade edges and configured to coupleto the body at the trailing end; a collar having a first portion and asecond portion, the second portion configured to retain a portion of theleading end of the one or more blades; and a tip configured to couple tothe first end of the of the body.
 2. The broadhead assembly of claim 1,wherein the body includes one or more mounting points configured toaccept a portion of the one or more blades.
 3. The broadhead assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the tip includes an apex and a plurality of tip blades.4. The broadhead assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the bladeedges is configured to be retained in the one or more axial grooves ofthe body when in a retracted position.
 5. The broadhead assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the collar is configured to fracture when the tipimpacts a target and release the leading ends of the one or more blades.6. The broadhead assembly of claim 5, in which the one or more bladesare moved from a retracted position to an expanded position where the atleast one of the blade edges is released from the one or more axialgrooves of the body upon fracture of the collar.
 7. The broadheadassembly of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises: an annularshoulder configured to prevent over insertion of the body into an arrow;and an arrow coupling portion configured to couple the body to a portionof the arrow.
 8. The broadhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the collarfurther comprises an interior surface defining a central bore, thecentral bore including a plurality of arcuately-shaped radial portionsdisposed circumferentially on the interior surface.
 9. A broadheadassembly comprising: a body having an axis extending between a first endand a second end, the body including one or more axial grooves; aplurality of blades each having a leading end and a trailing end, andwherein each of the plurality of blades have two or more blade edges andare configured to be removably coupled to a portion of the body; a tipconfigured to engage a portion of the first end of the body; and acollar having a first portion and a second portion and including aninner surface defining a central through bore extending from the firstportion to the second portion, the central through bore including aplurality of arcuately-shaped radial portions disposed circumferentiallyon the interior surface.
 10. The broadhead assembly of claim 9, whereinthe tip includes an apex and a plurality of tip blades.
 11. Thebroadhead assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of the blade edgesis configured to be retained in the one or more axial grooves of thebody when in a retracted position.
 12. The broadhead assembly of claim9, wherein the collar is configured to fracture and release the leadingends of the one or more blades when the tip impacts a target.
 13. Thebroadhead assembly of claim 12, in which the plurality of blades movefrom a retracted position to an expanded position in which the at leastone of the blade edges is released from the one or more axial grooves ofthe body upon fracture of the collar.
 14. The broadhead assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the body further comprises: an annular shoulderconfigured to prevent over insertion of the body into an arrow shaft;and an arrow coupling portion configured to couple the body to a portionof the arrow shaft.
 15. A method of hunting game with a broadheadassembly, the method comprising: providing a body having an axisextending between a first end and a second end, the body including oneor more mounting points; rotatably coupling a trailing end of each of aplurality of blades to the one or more mounting points, wherein each ofthe plurality of blades has two or more blade edges; coupling a collarto the first end of the body, the collar having an interior surfacedefining a central through bore extending between a first portion and asecond portion of the collar, wherein the second portion is configuredto retain a portion of a leading end of each of the plurality of blades;coupling a tip to the first end of the body, the tip configured toengage the second end of the collar; and coupling the second end of thebody to an arrow shaft and launching at a target animal using a bow. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the tip includes an apex and a pluralityof tip blades.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the body includes oneor more axial grooves configured to retain at least one of the bladeedges when the plurality of blades is in a retracted position.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the collar is configured to fracture andrelease the leading end of each of the plurality of blades when the tipimpacts the target animal.
 19. The method of claim 17, in which theplurality of blades move from a retracted position to an expandedposition in which the at least one of the blade edges is released fromthe one or more axial grooves of the body upon fracture of the collar.20. The method of claim 15, wherein the body further comprises anannular shoulder configured to prevent over insertion of the body intothe arrow shaft.